Apple Pie Jamboree is an annual community fundraiser supporting Pateros youth programs. This year, the event is virtual: pies, T-shirts, and raffle buttons may all be ordered online. Visit the Apple Pie Jamboree Facebook page to order: http://www.facebook.com/ApplePieJamboree.
A popular event for over 70 years, proceeds from the Apple Pie Jamboree support youth programs in sports, music and theater, Christmas gift bags, and two weeks of free swimming lessons.
Generally held the third weekend in July, jamboree fans are in luck as the online event runs through the end of July this year. Pie orders start July 3, and last until the fruit runs out. Filling and crust types may be selected on the order form. Pies may be picked up in Pateros or limited delivery may be arranged.
T-shirts and raffle buttons will also be available for online ordering. The buttons and shirts are currently in the design process. The purchase of a button enters the buyer into the virtual raffle. Forty winners will receive $25 gift cards to area businesses.
Historically, area businesses donated food and raffle items to the Apple Pie Jamboree. Jamboree President Tracy Miller, her daughter Vice-president Talicia Miller-Pool, and community members planned an online event to return gratitude to area businesses who have supported the event in past years, while raising funds for youth programs. Instead of asking for donations, the organization dipped into reserve funds to raffle off gift cards for winners to use at local businesses. “They’ve been supportive of us for so many years,” said Tracy, expressing her gratitude. “This is a ‘thank you’ back to those businesses.”
All proceeds from Apple Pie Jamboree T-shirt sales will go towards a school supply fund. Tracy explained, “we are anticipating a greater need than usual this year.”
The Apple Pie Jamboree began in 1947 as a community picnic with Indian stick games, live music, a parade, and lots of apple pie. Proceeds from the first jamboree went to the hospital. After a young boy drowned in the millpond, the Pateros community committed jamboree funds to pay for swimming lessons for all of the kids in Pateros.
The cataclysmic flood of 1948 put the jamboree on hold until 1950. The event had a good run for the next seven years until 1957, when water again overwhelmed the community. The townspeople spent the decade relocating, as the building of Wells Dam drowned the town. Main Street, the site of past jamboree parades, was at the bottom of Lake Pateros. In 1969, Bill Meadows started up the jamboree again with the help of friends. Putting the new lake to good use, they brought hydro races to the event.
